Avoid Doing These 9 Things When You Put Your Home On The Texas Market

Want to get as much money back as possible

from this big-ticket investment?

Of course you do!

So avoid doing these nine things when you put your

home on the Texas market.

Although you don’t technicallyneedto use a real estate agent to sell your home, hiring one can help you get more money in your pocket.

2. Neglecting important repairs prior to listing your home

Most home buyers will require ahome inspection contingency. But that doesn’t mean you should wait for the home inspector to tell you what to fix. If your home has noticeable flaws, go ahead and ask your agent whether you should address them before putting your house on the market.

3. Being restrictive with showings

You want the greatest number of potential buyers to see your home, hence, you need to be extremely flexible when responding to showing requests. Bear in mind that if you decline a showing, the buyer might not come back—and you could potentially lose out on a great offer.

5. Being present for showings or open houses

Home buyers are already apprehensive about touring a stranger’s property, so don’t make things even more awkward by sticking around foropen housesor showings. Buyers need to be able to envision your home as their own, which can be difficult to do if they see you hanging around the house.

6. Letting a pet spoil your sale

Even thoughyoulove your pet, a home buyer might not feel the same way. Also, dogs, cats, and other animals often leave behind abad odor, which can be an immediate turnoff.

7. Reviewing offers with a closed mind

Many people form an emotional attachment to their home. But don't let those feelings cloud your vision, especially when you receive offers.

In an ideal world, you’ll nab a full-price (or higher) offer for your home, but be willing to negotiate if you receive an offer that’s below list price.

8. Balking over requested repairs

No matter how well you’ve maintained your house, a buyer’s home inspector is going to find issues with the property. Be prepared to make repairs during the home inspection negotiation period—or at least offer the buyer credit at closing.

Whatever you do, don’t fight over a few hundred dollars.

9. Overlooking closing costs

While home buyers shoulder the lion's share of theclosing costs, home sellers still chip in a good chunk of cash at settlement—roughly 1% to 3% of the home’s final sales price. Unfortunately, many sellers don’t budget for closing fees. In fact, a lot of sellers only look at their agent’s commission when calculating their closing costs.

As a home seller, you can expect to be responsible for these closing costs:

A closing fee, paid to the title company or attorney's office where everyone meets to close on the home

Taxes on the home sale

A fee for an attorney, if the home seller has one

A fee for transferring the title to the new owner

Pro tip: After you sign a sales contract with a home buyer, ask the buyer’s title company for an estimate of what you’ll have to pay at closing, so that you can budget appropriately.

About eXp Realty Austin

Trust eXp Realty and our team of real estate agents to help you find homes for sale or to sell your current home. We recognize the level of service that the mobile consumer demands. You have information. You have dreams. We possess experience, integrity, and innovation. Together we create leverage to make your dreams a reality.

Testimonials

"Michelle began working with us while we were still in RI, 12 months before we arrived in TX. Once we were here, she presented a raft of good properties we toured and researched, including a home in Georgetown we ended up buying. Michelle was unfailingly responsive, thorough, and helpful. She was even better during the p&s and closing phases, with wise counsel, grasp of subtleties that would have escaped us, and a strong protectiveness of our interests. She's a superb realtor, more a friend by the end, and we would recommend her highly to anyone searching for a home in central TX."